Latest news with #NewMexicoPublicEducationDepartment
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Santa Fe judge finds state out of compliance with Yazzie/Martinez education ruling
You make the mess, you clean it up. That was the message Tuesday from a state district judge in Santa Fe who ruled the New Mexico Public Education Department has continually failed to comply with a landmark 2018 court order to provide a sufficient education to certain groups of at-risk students. Judge Matthew Wilson of the First Judicial District also ruled it was the department's job to fix the problem. He ordered the agency to develop a "comprehensive remedial plan" to comply with the ruling in Yazzie/Martinez v. State of New Mexico and set several deadlines. His ruling followed a hearing on a motion filed by plaintiffs in the lawsuit, asking the judge to assign the job of improving services and student outcomes to the Legislative Education Study Committee rather than the education agency. Nearly seven years after another state judge found in favor of the plaintiffs, they continue to decry what they see as a lack of successful solutions from the Public Education Department, even as lawmakers have made significant investments in education. The department argues, however, its mandate to ensure schools adequately educate groups of students cited in the lawsuit — Native Americans, English language learners, low-income kids and students with disabilities — pits it directly against districts that demand more local control. Attorneys for the plaintiffs said Tuesday the Legislative Education Study Committee has more expertise, stability and accountability than the education department and should be tasked with creating a plan to make improvements. Wilson denied that part of the motion, noting the committee is not a party in the lawsuit and he doesn't have the authority to direct it to create the plan. But he said the Legislative Education Study Committee and other stakeholders should be involved in crafting the plan and selecting outside experts and consultants to help. Wilson also laid out deadlines for the state to be in compliance, or risk court sanctions: * July 1: The Public Education Department must file a status report with the court and work with the Legislative Education Study Committee to identify outside experts and consultants to help draft the action plan. * Oct. 1: The state agency, along with stakeholders, must develop a draft plan, 'identifying all the components and elements necessary for a constitutionally sufficient and uniform education for at-risk students." * Nov. 3: The agency must develop a final plan and file a status report for the court's review. * Dec. 1: The Yazzie/Martinez plaintiffs' last day to file objections to the final plan. The state will then have 15 days to file a response, and the plaintiffs will have 15 days to file a reply. Wilson said he "anticipates a final comprehensive remedial plan." "I will bring the PED and the state into compliance with the court's final judgment and will ultimately conclude this litigation,' he said. 'Scattershot initiatives'? The state had one main argument against the plaintiffs' claims of continued noncompliance with a judge's 2018 ruling in the case. Rather, it had one number — 62% — referring to the state's roughly $1.7 billion increase in annual appropriations for public education between 2016, when the budget was $2.5 billion, and 2024, when it was $4.2 billion. 'Plaintiffs argued that this increase in funding makes no difference because PED has no plan how to spend it and no accountability over the districts. That is simply untrue,' said Taylor Rahn, a private attorney with Robles, Rael & Anaya, who represented the Public Education Department and Cabinet Secretary Mariana Padilla. Rahn pointed to examples of the department's oversight, such as education plans that require "school districts to articulate how they intend to spend at-risk funding.' She said the plaintiffs have an 'outright disregard of changes to inputs in the public education system.' Rahn also noted some areas of improvement, such as an increase in graduation rates for at-risk groups and the narrowing of an achievement gap between high- and low-performing students, one that is 'smaller than the national average.' While a boost in performance by economically disadvantaged students between 2022-23 and 2023-24 helped narrow the achievement gap, assessments showed it was also caused by a downturn in the academic performance of students from higher-income families. In a rebuttal to Rahn, Preston Sanchez, an attorney for the Yazzie plaintiffs, called the Public Education Department's efforts 'piecemeal' and 'scattershot initiatives that have had little to no impact' on at-risk student groups. He cited a few dismal statistics — for example, that 12% of special education students achieved scores showing proficiency in reading in 2022-23, compared to 38% of students overall statewide. As for the agency's accountability measures, he called the department's education plan a matter of 'checking boxes and paperwork' rather than a comprehensive means to vet school districts. Asking for overreach? Rahn argued the plaintiffs' request for the department to impose 'sweeping accountability measures' could lead to pushback from districts that oppose overreach. For instance, 54 districts joined together last year in filing a lawsuit against the department's rule requiring all schools to provide 180 days of instruction each year. A judge struck down the rule in February. Padilla said at the time the department was "dissatisfied" with the ruling and still believed "students can achieve better educational outcomes when we maximize learning opportunities." The plaintiffs' attorneys called into question the stability of the agency's leadership — given its five Cabinet secretaries since 2019 and the recent departure of Margaret Cage, director and deputy secretary of the Office of Special Education, after two years on the job. Rahn noted the agency has decreased its job vacancy rate since 2016 and has created 'dozens of new positions, many of which are targeted in at-risk student areas.' She said, ' Plaintiffs make the allegation that PED cannot be trusted to lead or cannot be trusted to comply with court orders because we've had several secretaries since the time of the court ruling. There is no court relief that could change that. People are allowed to change positions; people are allowed to seek different positions." She also pointed to the plaintiffs' request for remedies to teacher vacancies in at-risk areas — saying they were "suggesting that the state must force teachers into certain at-risk classrooms." ' The court does not have the power to override teacher union agreements," she said. Wilson did not address the plaintiffs' calls for such specific actions but noted 'the relief sought by plaintiffs is reasonable and within the court's authority.' Martha Pincoffs, a spokesperson for the Public Education Department, wrote in an email after the hearing the state has "substantially increased funding, and taken significant steps" to improve student performance and educator retention.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge issues latest order in Yazzie-Martinez case
Apr. 29—A Santa Fe judge determined the New Mexico Public Education Department had not held up its end of the bargain in a decade-long legal battle over the quality of education it provides Native American and underserved students. Judge Matthew Wilson on Tuesday ordered PED to create a plan to fix its primary and secondary education system in the latest chapter in what has become known as the Yazzie-Martinez case. "The New Mexico Public Education Department welcomes Judge Wilson's decision to lead development of a plan providing all New Mexico students an excellent education and that will lead to resolution of the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit," PED spokesperson Janelle Garcia said in a statement. "Improving student outcomes is central to our mission, and this plan will support lasting improvements to our educational system." The case was first brought about in 2014 when Wilhelmina Yazzie, the parent of a student at Gallup-McKinley County Schools, and Louise Martinez, the parent of an Albuquerque Public Schools student, joined other parents to file suit against the state and task it to improve its education system. The New Mexico Center on Law and Poverty and Mexican American Legal Defense Fund represented the parents in the suit against the state, and in a landmark 2018 ruling, Judge Sarah Singleton determined that the state was violating students' constitutional rights by not providing sufficient education. As a result, it was mandated that the state begin improving its education system. Wilson's order on Tuesday determined that PED had not complied with that ruling. "In the more than six years since the state and PED were ordered to take immediate steps to fix the system, PED has done little beyond making mere efforts or isolated reforms," Alisa Diehl, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said during the hearing. "PED has had ample opportunity to produce a plan of its own, but it hasn't done so." For its part, PED's attorney contested the state's education department had made changes since the 2018 ruling. "Plaintiffs have suggested that the court must do so because PED has not taken its responsibility seriously and that we've been given six years and nothing's happened. Simply untrue," said Taylor Rahn, the attorney representing the PED. "Many things have changed; some areas of student achievement have improved, but importantly, the inputs have changed to the tune of $2 billion. There is increased accountability that did not exist at the time of trial." She also said that the plaintiff's statement that PED was violating the Indian Education Act, the Hispanic Education Act, the Bilingual, Multicultural Education Act and the Black Education Act wasn't accurate. "Plaintiffs make a sweeping argument that because these groups are not performing at the same level as their at-risk peers, those statutes must be being violated by PED," Rahn said. "However, those statutes don't require exact parity in achievement." According to the state's latest monitoring report, the NM Vistas report card, Black, Native American and Hispanic students were below the statewide averages in reading, math and science proficiency. Historically and recently, New Mexico has ranked among the worst states in the nation for educational outcomes. U.S. News recently ranked it 50th in the country for education and in 2024 the National Assessment of Educational Progress found New Mexico's fourth and eighth grade students lagged behind the national averages in reading, math and science proficiency. "This court's ruling in 2018 gave families and communities all across the state of New Mexico a real sense of hope. Hope that transformative change to their children's education was underway," Preston Sanchez, another attorney representing the plaintiffs, said during the hearing. "New Mexico's education system is still ranked the worst public school system in the United States, a status that has not changed since we filed this case in 2014."
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Judge orders New Mexico's PED to create plan for better educating ‘at-risk' students
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – Seven years after a district court judge ruled the state isn't meeting its obligation to give at-risk students a good education, that judge is now giving the New Mexico Public Education Department (PED) just months to get their act together. Story continues below Environment: Fire in bosque area near Socorro grows to 400 acres Community: Bookstore pushes back against plans to remove homeless camp on property Don't Miss: APD retires Mounted Unit horse that has served for nearly a decade That order is tied to the 11-year-old 'Yazzie Martinez' lawsuit, which says that under-served students have a constitutional right to be college-ready. Plaintiffs say the state's taken too long to figure out a plan, and today the judge agreed. 'The PED and the state of New Mexico is not in compliance with this court's final judgement in order. The defendants are ordered to develop a comprehensive remedial plan to address the continuing violation of at-risk student's constitutional rights,' said Santa Fe District Court Judge Matthew Wilson. Those affected by this court case include Native American students, English language learners, low-income students and those with disabilities. The argument is that those groups face significant educational disparities. As part of the ruling, the plaintiffs in the case have been waiting for the Public Education Department to submit a plan to address teacher workforce issues, class sizes, and a wide range of other factors. Today, Judge Matthew Wilson ordered ped to work with a legislative committee to make a new plan by July. Attorneys for the plaintiffs call it a win. 'Across the state of New Mexico, this is a big problem that we've been dealing with – not only for the past seven years, but generations beyond that… Today's court ruling affirms the fact that we've come this far, we got what we came for, and now we wait to see what the state of New Mexico does next,' said Preston Sanchez, attorney for plaintiffs. While a draft is due in July, PED has until December to submit a final plan. The courts also require the PED to work with families and educators in order to develop that plan. Reacting to today's ruling, PED released the following statement: 'The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) welcomes Judge Wilson's decision to lead development of a plan providing all New Mexico students an excellent education, that will lead to resolution of the Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit for students, parents and families. Improving student outcomes is central to our mission and this plan will support lasting improvements to our educational system. The Martinez-Yazzie lawsuit highlighted longstanding systemic challenges state education. The Court directed increased funding and programming for at-risk students, including those from economically disadvantaged homes, English Language Learners, Native American children, and children with disabilities. Since 2019, the state has substantially increased funding and taken significant steps to improve student performance and educator recruitment and retention. ' PED Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Applications open in New Mexico for Summer EBT program
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Public Education Department has opened applications for a program that is aimed at keeping students fed during the summer. Story continues below Business: Two big New Mexico brands up for sale as owner looks toward retirement Education: Albuquerque high school students get up-close look at big-time film production News: Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham authorizes National Guard deployment to ABQ SUN Bucks, also known as Summer EBT (S-EBT), is a federal program that helps families by giving them money to buy groceries during the summer when children are not in school. Families that qualify for this program will get $120 for each child that's part of the program. The money will go on an EBT card and can be used at grocery stores, farmers markets, and some online retailers. PED said there will be some students who are not eligible for SUN Bucks. Students who are not automatically eligible will need to apply; however, if a student does not attend an NSLP/SBP participating school, the student is not eligible for SUN Bucks. Some Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) and private schools do not participate in NSLP/SBP. Automatically eligible (No Application Needed): A student that has been approved for free or reduced-priced meals by having filled out a school meals application in a school participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) or School Breakfast Program (SBP); A student's school may have reported the child to be homeless, a migrant, or in foster care; or A student received SNAP, MAGI-Children's Medicaid (only those on Medicaid categories 401, 403, MA-SSI, DDW or Foster Medicaid 066), or TANF any time during the school year and was between the ages of 5 through 18. Parents will be sent a notice to inform them of their child's automatic eligibility. Apply for SUN Bucks: Must attend an NSLP/SBP participating school. If your student does not have an approved NSLP/SBP application on file with the school. If your student attends a school that participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program and provides free meals for all, they are not automatically eligible and may still need to apply to receive the SunBucks benefit. Have a household income that is less than 185% FPL. Reside in the state of NM. Families will have 122 days to use the benefits from the date they are issued. If there is any unspent benefit on the 122nd day, the benefits will be removed from the child's card. To learn more about SUN Bucks and to apply, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State educators say they are on hold waiting to see how federal DEI demands will impact NM students
Local school districts say they are waiting for direction from the New Mexico Public Education Department concerning federal diversity, equity and inclusion demands. (Photo courtesy Santa Fe Public Schools) New Mexico educators say federal demands to ban diversity, equity and inclusion programs or lose funding are 'frustrating' and it's unclear how they might ultimately impact students. The U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to state education leaders last week ordering them to certify their compliance with federal requirements banning diversity, equity and inclusion practices in order to continue receiving federal assistance. States were given 10 days to respond to the letter, but a spokesperson for the federal education department told Source NM that the deadline was extended to April 24. Michael Chavez, superintendent of Hatch Valley Public Schools, told Source NM that he feels districts are in a 'wait and see' situation and that he hasn't received any specific directive from the New Mexico Public Education Department about how the state will respond. 'I guess the first question I have is: 'What does that mean for us?'' he said. 'I don't know what that means because we're all about providing equity…Are we talking equality or we talking equity, because that's two different things.' Hatch Valley Public Schools consists of five schools from elementary to high school, and serves fewer than 2,000 students. A majority of children come from families living below the poverty line and many are English Language Learners, Chavez said. Chavez told Source that about 15 to 20% of the Hatch Valley district's budget is made up of federal funds. He pointed out that Title I and Title II funds are particularly important to the Hatch Valley district as they provide federal financial assistance for at-risk students as well as professional development for teachers serving these students. 'We'll roll with the punches and do whatever we have to do, but we're not going to compromise on providing equitable services for kids,' Chavez said. He added that a majority of his district's budget comes from the state and described the federal money as 'extra' for expanding programs even further. He noted that the spring budget conference for all public schools in the state is this week — during which districts develop their budgets for the next year — and said he hopes the state will 'share with us any information that they have.' Janelle Taylor Garcia, a spokesperson for the state education department, said in a written statement to Source NM that the department 'is working closely with the New Mexico Department of Justice and the Governor's Office on addressing these directives. NMPED will continue to monitor communications from the U.S. Department of Education and remains focused on supporting districts and charters in serving all our student populations in the state.' Stan Rounds, executive director of the New Mexico Coalition of Educational Leaders, told Source that he is working with Education Secretary Mariana Padilla as much as possible to develop a strategy for dealing with the Trump administration's demands. He said he is also working with the American Association of School Administrators, his organization's federal counterpart. 'Our hope is to be able to retain programs and funds that have been in play, so it's navigation as much as anything that we're having to do,' Rounds told Source. Whitney Holland, president of the American Federation of Teachers New Mexico chapter, told Source that from the perspective of teachers in the state, 'our students are being used as political pawns.' She said she is concerned for the 'unique populations' of students who require additional assistance federal money pays for, as well as school social workers and occupational therapists. 'And that is super, super frustrating because we've hit this really good stride where every year we're chipping away at the narrative of 51st in education and school funding and all of that. And then to have this come, this blow come from the federal level, it feels like a huge step backwards,' Holland said. She added that if the certification letter does not work to satisfy federal demands, she anticipates the Trump administration will 'continue to put the pressure on.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
